Pastors

Joshua Kuipers
Senior Pastor

The Rev. Joshua Kuipers was called by the congregation to be Senior Pastor starting April 14, 2019. Pastor joined CUCC as Associate Pastor February 1, 2017. A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Josh comes to us with a wide range of experiences in ministry. He has served congregations from Eastern Africa to Southern California, and, most recently, in Atlanta, GA. In addition to his work as a pastor, he and his wife ran a group home for teenage boys in Richmond, VA. He is a graduate of Calvin College, where he studied Religion, Anthropology, and Kiswahili. He later earned a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology (Emory University), where he was named their Sims Garret Scholar, and graduated with the Berta and James T. Laney award.
In his free time, Josh loves to be outside as much as possible with his wife Julia, and their daughters Caroline and Anna. He enjoys mountain biking, woodworking, rock climbing, and golfing. He is excited about all the opportunities for adventure and community in St. Charles, and looks forward to learning from the many remarkable people at CUCC.

Staff

Joe Blomquist
Bell Choir Director

Joe recently joined CUCC and stepped right into the music ministry, singing with the chancel choir, and has assumed the position of Bell Choir Director.
A photo and short biography will be posted soon.

Carol Latimer
Organist/Accompanist

Carol Latimer began her service as CUCC’s settled organist/accompanist, January 1, 2018. She is a very creative musician and energetic collaborator, who is eager for innovative programming with us in addition to her leadership in Sunday worship services and accompaniment of our chancel choir.
A published composer, Carol has worked with UCC and Presbyterian congregations and, most recently, was organist and director of instrumental music with St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, 2006 through 2017. You may also recognize Carol from her regular playing of the piano at the Von Maur Department Store and St. Charles Country Club.
Carol is mom in a very musical family, including her son, a percussionist in the U.S. Marine Band, and her son-in-law, a trombonist in the Boston Symphony.

Kim Arneson
Children's Ministries and Swingset Preschool Director

Kim graduated from Northern Illinois University in 2010 where she earned her degree in elementary education. After graduation, Kim started working at Swing Set Preschoolin 2011 as a part-time teacher. In 2012, she began the position as Swing Set’s Director. Kim believes that Swing Set Preschool is the perfect place to start a child’s educational path.
In 2013 while continuing to direct Swingset, Kim accepted a newly created position as Connections Coordinator . She serves as the staff liaison to the Congregational Life Committee, helping to plan, organize and promote the social life of the congregation. In addition, Kim strives to help new members to find ways to become immersed in church life. She also is an key member of the Congregations communication team, concentrating in social media.
In Kim’s spare time she enjoys reading, spending time with her new husband, friends, family, and her little dog, Howie.

Trish Thompson
Office Administrator

Trish recently became Office Administrator, after several  years as the Assistant  in the church office. She is  happy to do anything that’s required and grateful to be a part of this hard-working and fun-loving staff. Putting inspirational quotes on the dry erase board outside the office is one of her favorite tasks.

Trish graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught 5th and 6th grade in Louisville, Kentucky before having 3 children of her own. She and her husband JT moved the family back to Champaign/Urbana and then on to New York and North Carolina before moving back home to Illinois in 1999. They became members of the church in 2001.

Trish has more interests than time in the day to pursue them! She enjoys traveling, gardening, singing, writing, sewing, reading, swimming and, mostly, spending time with her three grandchildren and her large, lively, loving family.

She has recently taken up the ukulele.

Kristen Foley
Financial Manager

Kristen Foley joined the office staff as Financial Manager in January 2016. Kristen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Marquette University in 1997. She married her husband, Brad, in 2007 and they moved to Geneva in 2008. Her previous work experience includes a position as Accounting Manager at a manufacturing company in Elgin. She left her position there in 2011 after welcoming twins, Sam and Kate. She now enjoys supporting the Church community in her role as Financial Manager. When not working or playing with her kids, Kristen enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, running and trying out new restaurants.